Portable sink over-flow device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a portable sink over-flow device comprising an elbow duct with the end of the horizontal leg closed off. A bottom opening adjacent that end is adapted to register with the sink drain, and a resilient stopper pad sealed around the lateral opening, enables the sink to be filled to the level of the vertically disposed leg of the elbow. Telescopic joints in both legs of the elbow duct enable positioning of the vertical leg against the sink wall and adjustment for water depth. Means are provided to anchor the device against flotation.

"United States Patent [191 Lyon et al.

[ Dec. 2, 1975 PORTABLE SINK OVER-FLOW DEVICE [76] Inventors: Halsey H. Lyon, 110 Van Winkle, San Anselmo, Calif. 94960; Frank H. Deimel, 1450 31st Avenue, San Francisco, Calif. 94122 [22] Filed: July 25, 1974 211 Appl. No.: 491,744

[52] U.S. Cl 4/191; 277/198 [51] Int. Cl. E03C H24 [58] Field of Search 4/191, 198, 201, 206, 286, 4/295 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 306,169 10/1884 Moseley 4/201 2,884,650 5/1959 Cooper 4/206 Primary ExaminerRobert l. Smith Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Melvin R. Stidham. Esq.

[57] ABSTRACT Disclosed is a portable sink over-flow device comprising an elbow duct with the end of the horizontal leg closed off. A bottom opening adjacent that end is adapted to register with the sink drain, and a resilient stopper pad sealed around the lateral opening, enables the sink to be filled to the level of the vertically disposed leg of the elbow. Telescopic joints in both legs of the elbow duct enable positioning of the vertical leg against the sink wall and adjustment for water depth. Means are provided to anchor the device against flotation.

6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 3,922,733

PORTABLE SINK "OVER-FLOW 'DEVIC E BACKGROI'JNDJOF m; INVENTION} Normally, kitchenfsinks are not provided with overflow ducts which allow one to run thewater continuouslywithout water spilling over onto the floor. It is frequently advantageous to havea tub of water being continuously replaced with fresh water, as for washing glasses while tending bar or even washing small articles where it is necessary to guard against them going down the drain.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a portable sink over-flow device which allows for the continuous running of water without flow over the edge of the sink.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a portable sink over-flow device which seals off the sink drain and allows filling to a predetermined, adjustable level.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a sink over-flow device which is not permanently attached but which is anchored against flotation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a portable sink over-flow device which may be placed in the sink with a minimum of interference with normal sink usage.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the description to follow when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In carrying out this invention, we provide an elbow duct which is preferably rectangular in cross-section so that one leg may be disposed flat against the sink bottom with the other leg diposed vertically. The horizontal leg of the elbow duct is closed off and a bottom opening adjacent to it is adapted for registry with the drain of the sink. A stopper plate carrying a resilient pad on the bottom thereof is sealed around the bottom opening to seal against the sink bottom and prevent drainage except through the vertical leg of the elbow duct. There are preferably telescopic sections in both legs of the elbow whereby the horizontal leg may be extended to position the vertical leg against the side of the sink, and the vertical leg may be extended to adjust the depth of water desired. Means, such as a rubber suction cup secured to the vertical leg and adapted for releasable attachment to the sink wall, is provided to prevent flotation of the device as the sink is filled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section view of our portable sink over-flow device embodying features of this invention; and

FIG. 2 is a top view of the sink over-flow device partially broken away.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings with greater particularity, the portable sink over-flow device of this invention is shown in place in a conventional kitchen 6 type sink 12 having generally vertical side walls 14 and an integral bottom 16. In approximately the middle of the bottom 16 is located the conventional drain pipe 18, which is secured to extend through the bottom of the sink as by means of a nut 20 threaded thereon.

The over-flow device 10 comprises essentially an elbow duct which is preferably rectangular in crosssection. Such cross-section enables the horizontal leg or duct 22 to lay flat in the sink and dishes orother articles may be placed on top of it. Moreover, the height of the horizontal leg 22 may be minimized and the width maximized without sacrificing flow capacity.

The vertical leg 24 of the elbow duct 10 is, of course, open at the top 26 to enable flow therein and the horizontal leg is closed off at the end 28 as shown. A bottom opening 30 adjacent the end of the horizontal leg 22 is adapted for registry with the sink drain 18,

whereby water entering into the duct through the upper end 26 of the vertical leg 24 will flow down through the elbow duct 10 and out the drain 18. A plate 32 of suitable rigid material is welded, bonded or otherwise secured to the end of the horizontal leg 22 so as to be sealed around the bottom drain opening 30, and a resilient stopper pad 34 is bonded or otherwise secured to the plate to seal against the sink bottom 16 around the drain opening 18.

Both the horizontal and vertical legs of the elbow duct include telescopic joints 36 and 38 comprising sleeve members which fit slidably over the legs of a one-piece elbow member 40. Suitable sealing means such as O-rings 42 and 44, prevent leakage through the telescopic joints 36 and 38, and provide a certain amount of friction whereby the telescopic joints will not accidentally retract or extend.

A rubber suction cup 42 or the like carried on the vertical leg 24 of the over-flow device 10 holds the upper opening 26 in set positions but more importantly, it anchors the entire device 10 against flotation which could otherwise occur as the sink begins to fill while the elbow duct 10 is still empty. To supplement the suction cup anchor device, or as an alternative thereto, the bottom plate 32 may be made large enough in area so that the pressure bearing against it will provide a sufficient total force to overcome the flotation effects.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with a preferred embodiment thereof, it is obvious that modifications and changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. A portable, temporary sink over-flow device comprising:

an elbow duct;

means sealing off the end of one leg of said elbow duct;

a bottom opening adjacent said one end adapted for registry with a sink drain;

a plate of relatively large area secured to said one leg so that water pressure may be asserted over the area thereof to anchor said elbow duct against flotation without firm attachment thereof to a sink; and

means on the bottom of said one leg adapted to seal around said bottom opening and around a sink drain.

2. The portable sink over-flow device defined by claim 1 wherein said last-named means comprises:

a resilient stopper pad secured to the bottom of said plate;

said plate being sealed around said bottom opening.

3. The portable sink over-flow device defined by 5. The portable sink over-flow device defined by claim 1 including: claim 1 wherein:

a telescopic joint in said one leg; and means sealing said elbow duct is of rectangular cross-section and of said first telescopic joint. relatively rigid material to support loads thereon. 4. The portable sink over-flow device defined by 5 6. The portable sink over-flow device defined by claim 3 including: claim 4 including:

a second telescopic joint in the other leg of said means for releasably attaching the other leg of said elbow duct; and elbow duct to the side of a sink. means sealing said second telescopic joint. 

1. A portable, temporary sink over-flow device comprising: an elbow duct; means sealing off the end of one leg of said elbow duct; a bottom opening adjacent said one end adapted for registry with a sink drain; a plate of relatively large area secured to said one leg so that water pressure may be asserted over the area thereof to anchor said elbow duct against flotation without firm attachment thereof to a sink; and means on the bottom of said one leg adapted to seal around said bottom opening and around a sink drain.
 2. The portable sink over-flow device defined by claim 1 wherein said last-named means comprises: a resilient stopper pad secured to the bottom of said plate; said plate being sealed around said bottom opening.
 3. The portable sink over-flow device defined by claim 1 including: a telescopic joint in said one leg; and means sealing said first telescopic joint.
 4. The portable sink over-flow device defined by claim 3 including: a second telescopic joint in the other leg of said elbow duct; and means sealing said second telescopic joint.
 5. The portable sink over-flow device defined by claim 1 wherein: said elbow duct is of rectangular cross-section and of relatively rigid material to support loads thereon.
 6. The portable sink over-flow device defined by claim 4 including: means for releasably attaching the other leg of said elbow duct to the side of a sink. 